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Raiders looking to kick-start momentum

By Jerry McDonald jmcdonald@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted:
12/22/2012 05:56:43 PM PST

Updated:
12/22/2012 11:35:19 PM PST

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Any hope the Raiders have of heading into the offseason with a little momentum starts Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, a tall order in that Oakland has lost its last nine games in the eastern time zone -- four of them this season.

The solution is easy enough in theory.

"You've got to come out fast," Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer said. "They're a team that scores fast and has struggled late, so we need to match their intensity early."

Indeed, in its last four games, Carolina has totaled seven touchdowns and a field goal in its first two possessions.

The Raiders, over the same span, haven't scored a point.

The last time the Raiders had a touchdown on their opening drive was last season's regular-season finale, when they drove 95 yards in 12 plays, capped by Palmer's 3-yard touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Since then, on opening drives, the Raiders have four turnovers, eight punts, turned it over once on downs and have scored once -- on a 38-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski in a 37-6 loss in Denver.

Opponents, on the other hand, have six touchdowns and a field goal on their first possessions.

"This is a chance to change all that," Palmer said.

To coach Dennis Allen, beating the Panthers on the other side of the country is a necessary step forward if only to prove it's possible.

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"The distance that you travel, the time of the game, those are factors, but what it really boils down to is your mindset," Allen said. "You've got to block out those external factors and focus in on the things you've got to do to win the game."

The Raiders could use a strong finish to alter perception of a season that has been a bitter disappointment.

Although Allen, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and defensive coordinator Jason Tarver have preached patience in building a new foundation and culture, the bottom line is the Raiders have mostly been noncompetitive in 2012 after back-to-back 8-8 seasons.

Three of Oakland's four wins have come against Kansas City (twice) and Jacksonville, the two teams vying for the NFL's top draft choice with 2-12 records.

In the other 11 games, the Raiders are 1-10 and have been outscored 363-196 -- an average score of 33-17.

Carolina, 5-9 and winners of two straight against Atlanta and San Diego, is playing its final home game of the season.

Carolina runs a college style read-option with Newton either keeping or pitching to the flat. The Panthers use a conventional running attack with backs DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert.

The Panthers defense can rush the passer from either end with Greg Hardy (11 sacks) and Charles Johnson (10﻿1/2 sacks). Luke Kuechly, a potential Pro Bowl player as a rookie, anchors the middle.

One thing Allen and Carolina coach Ron Rivera have in common is that they've reminded players that with the playoffs out of the picture, they are being watched closely -- and not just by their respective teams.

"It's one of the realities of football," Rivera said. "Every time you play, whether it's the first game or the last game, there are 31 other teams that will see this tape. Do your best. Show your best."